Probation Counselor I

This position is located in Court Services Division's Pretrial Services Unit of the General District Court. This position interviews recently incarcerated defendants to determine their eligibility for participation in the court's supervised release program.

Conducts interviews in the jail using the PTCC Pretrial Defendant Questionnaire (PDQ), the Virginia Court Appointed Counsel Sheet and the Virginia Pretrial Risk Assessment Instrument (VPRAI). The interview involves collecting data from arresting documents, gathering information from personal interviews with defendants, verifying the information with family, friends, employers and co-workers. The information is documented using the PTCC computer program. The Fairfax County local record system, the NCIC/VCIN and DMV criminal history computer systems are used to obtain defendants' criminal histories.

Reviews all data that reflect on a defendant's degree of risk of danger to the community (individual and/or general public) and the degree of risk of fleeing the jurisdiction or failing to appear in court. Presents bond recommendations to the magistrates at the jail or to the judiciary in court at arraignments. Bond recommendations can include monetary bond (higher or lower), third party custody, supervised release, personal recognizance or any combination.

Note: This advertisement will be used to fill multiple full-time Probation Counselor I positions.

Schedule: This position has a rotating shift as follows: Week 1: 6:30 am - 4:30 pm; Week 2: 10:30 am - 8:30 pm; Week 3: 4:30 pm - 2:30 am; Week 4: 8:30 pm - 6:30 am.

Salary: The starting annual salary for this position is budgeted to and will not exceed $60,000.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in social/behavioral sciences, law enforcement, or education.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
VCIN Certification (Required within 6 months)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Position requires good working knowledge of the criminal justice system as a whole.
• Some experience working in a court/jail setting or agency that has a close connection with a General District Court.
• Basic knowledge of the Code of Virginia, especially in adult community corrections.
• Should possess basic competency in the PTCC (Pretrial and Community Corrections System and Case Management System (CMS).
• Should have some experience making release recommendations to the magistrates for defendants eligible for Supervised Release.
• Some proficiency in Spanish is preferred but not required.
• Experience in the use of Microsoft Office computer software, especially Outlook, Word, and Excel.

• Employee may be required to lift up to 15 pounds.
• Job is generally sedentary in nature, however, visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitor, incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment.
• Must communicate with others.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.